Golden State Killer Suspect Returns To Sacramento Court

Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, who authorities suspect is the so-called Golden State Killer responsible for at least a dozen murders and 50 rapes in the 1970s and 80s, is wheeled out of the courtroom after his arraignment, Friday, April 27, 2018.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

East Area Rapist suspect Joseph James DeAngelo appeared briefly in a Sacramento County courtroom this afternoon. He is charged with two murders in Sacramento as part of the Golden State Killer cases in the 1970s and ’80s.

The district attorney’s office was granted a continuance of the case while it gathers evidence. Outside the courtroom, the daughter of one of the murder victims spoke about seeing DeAngelo for the first time.

DeAngelo is charged with killing Debi Domingo’s mother, Cheri, and her mother's boyfriend, Greg Sanchez, in Goleta in 1981. "I never came face to face with him. But there were so many who did and they believed him when he said, 'I'm gonna come back and kill you,'” Domingo said. "They've never had a day's peace."

DeAngelo is facing trial in Sacramento for the murders of Brian and Katie Maggiore in Rancho Cordova in 1978.

Jane Carson Sandler also attended Thursday’s criminal proceedings for the first time. She says the East Area Rapist attacked her after moving her young son out of the room.

"I would want to ask him, No. 1, ‘Why did you move my son? Where did you put him? Where did you see me? How long had you been stalking me?’" she said.

She continued: "‘I would love to see you admit your guilt. I would like to see you apologize for al the carnage that you have caused.’"

DeAngelo faces a total of 12 murder charges. He is also the prime suspect in the Visalia Ransacker cases from the early to mid 1970s.

Bob reports on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards. Read Full Bio